Traffic accident recording system

ABSTRACT

A traffic accident recording system, wherein a recording unit is provided along a road, comprising a TV camera for continously obtaining visual images of a certain section of the road and a storage unit for continuously storing the visual images from the TV camera, and an accident recognition unit provided in a vehicle which upon occurrence of an accident transmits a trigger signal to the recording unit so that the storage unit retains visual images of the section of the road whereat the accident occurred at specified time durations before, during and after the occurrence of the accident. Thereafter, the stored visual images can be accessed and stored for later use. Also devices are provided for periodically discarding visual images not used.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a system for recording trafficaccidents, for example, using TV cameras to obtain visual images ofvehicle accidents and storing such visual images for immediate and/orlater use.

[0003] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art

[0004] The prior art is deficient in recording and storing visual imagesof vehicle accidents. Suggestions have been made to use a collisionsound to start visual recording of an accident, such as using amicrophone located besides a road to pick up the collision sound. But,such a suggested approach is not sufficiently accurate to detect trafficaccidents since it would depend on the loudness and frequency componentsof the sound of the collision and would also require a multiplicity ofmicrophones.

[0005] A vehicle traffic congestion increases, studies need to beconducted on various aspects of traffic accidents. Unfortunately, visualrecordings of actual accidents in real time which can be captured withappropriate exact timing do not exist in large numbers. By observingprior actual accidents, substantial information on causes and remediescan be obtained. However, currently, such studies are hampered byinsufficient amount of such stored images of prior vehicle accidents. Itwould also be helpful to resolution of disputes involving trafficaccidents and the like if actual real time visual images of accidentswere available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a systemfor accurately recording and storing visual images of vehicle accidentsin real time.

[0007] The foregoing and other objects are attained by the invention,wherein an accident recognition unit is disposed on a vehicle so thatupon occurrence of an accident, such as involving the vehicle, the unittransmits a trigger signal to recording unit provided along the side ofthe road on which the vehicle is traveling, which recording unit uses aTV camera to continuously obtain visual images of a selected portion ofthe road and a storage unit which stores the visual images obtained bythe TV camera. The recording unit receives the trigger signal to controlthe storage unit to store and transmit to a central control the visualimages of the selected portion of the road, where the vehicle isinvolved in an accident, for a selected time before, during and afterthe accident. The trigger signal can be sent to the central controlwhich then sends a signal to a particular recording unit to commence thesame procedure. In this manner, an accurate, real time, visual image ofthe selected road area before, during and after the accident for adesired time duration of each period, is obtained. In this manner, aplurality of such vehicle accidents and visual images thereof can bestored at a central location for later use, research, study, and, forexample, as testimony in a trial where issues involving the accidentneed to be resolved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting an illustrative embodimentof the invention encompassing the system.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting details of the recording unit.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting details of the trafficaccident recognition unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011]FIG. 1 shows a road 1, in which a traffic accident 8 has occurredbetween two vehicles. One vehicle, at least, although both vehicles canhave the units, contains a traffic accident recognition unit 2, whichsupplies a trigger signal 5, to a recording unit 3.

[0012] The recording unit 3, shown in greater detail in FIG. 2,comprises a tV camera 13, which is connected to an image storage unit12, which is controlled by signal receiver and controller 14 or controlcenter 4, and is connected to a network server 11, and thereto to anetwork 10, as depicted. Controller 14 is labeled “RCVR” in the drawingfor convenience only and is not to be taken as limiting thereof. Theserver 11 is also connected for sending signals to controller 14.

[0013] The network 10 may be wired or wireless, such as accessed by acellular phone, radio waves, infrared waves, microwaves, etc. Thereceiver and controller 14 receives directly or through a network thetrigger signals 5 from transmitter 25 of accident recognition unit 2disposed in the vehilce or from a control center 4 sent through anetwork 10 (see FIG. 1). Also, signals for suitable use are sent fromserver 11 to controller 14, as depicted by the interconnection.

[0014] The TV camera may be a closed circuit TV camera, readilyavailable on the market and known as a CCTV, etc. The camera 13 scanscontinuously a predetermined image recording area 7 (see FIG. 1) so thatan accident occurring in that area 7 will be picket up by the camera 13.It is also possible to periodically scan in a manner that would besampling of data with result of nearly total coverage, as known in thesampling art. A plurality of recording units 3 are provided so that adesired amount of coerage of a raod is obtained. In some congestedareas, for example, one may desire to place a unit each X feet, whereasin rural areas one may desire to place a unit each mile and/or atintersections, etc. The placement of units may depend on the type ofresearch being conducted on occurrence of accidents, causes, and onpolicy of traffic management, etc.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, a control center 4 may be used withcommunication between the control center 4 and the recording unit beingthrough a network 10, which may be wired or wireless. Advantageously,the control center 4 may receive the trigger signal directly from theaccident recognition unit 2 disposed in the vehicle, and then throughcommunication through network 10, inform one or more recording units 3of the accident and control the retaining of visual images prior to,during and after the accident for selected time periods, respectively.Then, through suitable instructions, the recording unit 3 will send thedata to the control center 4 for storage or other usage. Also, thetrigger signal 5 from the recognition unit 2 can go directly to therecording unit 3 and also the control center 4. Such accident occurrencecan be recorded by recording unit 3 and/or by control center 4. Also,control center 4 can be used to obtain various traffic information fromthe recognition unit 2 and the recording unit 3.

[0016] The recording unit 3, as shown in FIG. 1, may be placed on astandard or pole 6 beside a road, or above the road as shown. Althoughshown as being on a pole 6, the unit 3 may be disposed close to or onthe ground.

[0017] The accident recognition unit 2 which is placed in a vehicle, asshown in FIG. 3, comprises an accident recognition unit 24, which isconnected to a plurality of sensors, such as a sensor which detects airbag ignition (see item 21), or a unit that detects sudden braking (seeitem 22), or a unit that detects sudden changes in the speed of thevehicle (see item 23), and similar sensors, not shown. For example, whenthe air bag is ignited, the sensor will send a signal to recognitionunit 24, which will then produce a trigger signal. That signal is thensupplied to signal transmitter 25, which the transmits the triggersignal 5. Advantageously, the signal transmitter 25 may utilize avariety of different waves, such as radio waves, infrared waves,microwaves, etc. Thus, when the vehicle carrying the accidentrecognition unit 2 is involved in an accident, such as shown in FIG. 1,with another vehicle (although it need not be in an accident withanother vehicle, and can itself be involved in an accident, such ashitting a tree on the side of a road) and the air bag is ignited, thesensor 21 will detect such air bag ignition, and send a signal toaccident recognition unit 24, which will then generate a trigger signalwhich is supplied to signal transmitter 25 for transmission of thetrigger signal 5 to control center 4 (see FIG. 1) and/or to signalreceiver and controller 14 to control the obtaining of visual images bycamera 13 and stored in storage unit 12 before, during and after theaccident for specified periods of time.

[0018] The controller 14 of recording unit 3 and/or control center 4and/or recognition unit 3 may each have a clock generator for timingpurposes. The time may be placed directly on the visual images, storedimages, etc. Also, the clock may be used to conform the obtaining,storing and transmission of the visual images.

[0019] The traffic accident recognition unit 2 may comprise a GPS(Global Positioning System)device or means for measuring the location ofthe vehicle or providing information as to the location of the vehicle.The location data provided by the GPS device may be transmitted withtrigger signal 5, the recording unit 3 and/ or the control center 4, forsuitable use.

[0020] Advantageously, the visual images may be stored in a taperecorder and/or hard disc storage unit. Image storage unit 12 ofrecording unit 3 may also comprise temporary storage devices. Also,control center 4 may comprise storage units, such as video tape and/orhard disc units, for appropriate storage of visual images and/or otherdata.

[0021] The control center 4 through appropriate instructions may controlobtaining and disbursing of various traffic instructions, data andtiming thereof. Traffic conditions may also be monitored using theinstant system. The control center 4 may also use an appropriate alarmsignal to control the various units 2 and 3 when desried, usin, forexample, network 10.

[0022] The control unit 14 of recording unit 3 comprises means forcontrolling the periodic discarding of visual images and/or other datastored in storage unit 12 so that the memory capacity of storage unit 12will always be sufficient to store visual data and images before, duringand after an accident. When there is no accident, the controller 14 willcause the discarding of stored visual images and/or other data. Thisoccurs, for example, every 5 minutes, when during the 5 minute point, anaccident has not occurred and the trigger signal 5 has not be generatedand transmitted to unit 2. In that case, controller 14 will causestorage unit 12 to discard the stored visual data and other data for theperiod of 5 minutes to 4 minutes prior to that time.

[0023] Thus, even if during the discarding process, an accident occurs,the 1 minute prior to the accident will still be available for passingon to the control center 4 together with the visual images and dataduring and after the accident. The controller 14 uses the clock thereinfor the timing of the duration for such before, during and afteraccident of the obtaining visual images, storing same, and read out ofsame.

[0024] It should be noted that the camera 13 may be moved to cover alarger area, if so desired. The control center 4 may also be a rovingunit, such as a roving station. The accumulated visual images of aplurality of accidents may be permanently recorded and stored for lateruse. Study of such past accidents may be helpful in reducing futureaccidents, improving safety of passengers, reduce property damage, etc.Thus, this invenion will open up an avaenue of study heretofore notgenerally available. Also, the stored visual images of accidents canform the basis for vital testimony in lawsuits where issues involvingvehicular accidents are concerned.

[0025] The foregoing description is illustrative only. Numerousmodifications and extensions thereof would be apparent to the workerskilled in the art. All such modifications and extensions of theprinciples of the invention are to be considered to be within the spiritand scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A traffic recording system comprising: firstmeans for obtaining visual images of a traffic accident and surroundingareas, said first means being disposed near a road and including a TVcamera for obtaining said visual images, storage means for storing saidvisual images from said TV camera, and signal means for controlling saidTV camera and said storage means upon receiving a trigger signal; andsecond means for providing said trigger signal upon occurrence of anaccident involving a vehicle, said second means being disposed on saidvehicle and including a trigger generating means for providing saidtrigger signal upon occurrence of said accident, and transmitter meansfor transmitting said trigger signal provided by said trigger generatingmeans.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said storage means comprises avideo tape recorder.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein said storagemeans comprises a hard disc video recorder.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein said transmitter means comprises means for transmitting radiowaves.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein said transmitter meanscomprises means for transmitting infrared light waves.
 6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said trigger generating means comprises means fordetecting one or more of the following air bag ignition, sudden brakingof said vehicle, and sudden stopping of said vehicle due to collision.7. The system of claim 1, wherein said storage means comprises thirdmeans for continuously storing visual images, fourth means fordiscarding said visual images, and fifth means for controlling saidthird means and said fourth means so that upon receipt of said triggersignal visual images from said TV camera are stored in said storagemeans and later accessed, said visual images being for preselected timeperiods before, during and after said accident involving said vehicle.8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a traffic control centerfor receiving said trigger signal from said second means and fortransmitting a signal to said first means to control said TV camera andsaid storage means, wherein said trigger signal is received through anetwork and said transmitted signal is transmitted through said network.9. The system of claim 1, wherein said storage means comprises means forreceiving data on traffic conditions and for storing said data ontraffic conditions.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein said first meansfurther comprises clock means for recording time of said visual image.11. The system of claim 1, wherein said first means further comprisesvehicle location means for transmitting vehicle location data with saidvisual image and/or said trigger signal.
 12. The system of claim 8,wherein said traffic control center comprises means for transmittingover said network image data, traffic signal data, and time.
 13. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein said network is wired.
 14. The system ofclaim 8, wherein said network is wireless.
 15. The system of claim 1,further comprising a network and wherein said second means transmitssaid trigger signal through said network.
 16. The system of claim 1,wherein said first means comprises discarding means for periodically orcontinuously discarding stored visual images after a selected period oftime when no accident has occurred.
 17. The system of claim 8, whereinsaid traffic control center comprises means for transmitting an alarmsignal over said network when an accident has occurred.
 18. The systemof claim 11, wherein said vehicle location means comprises a globalpositioning system device.